As the years passed, the number of parishioners began to decline.  Polish parishioners living in Manhattan moved to the other boroughs and that included the children who attended the parish school.  In 1989, upon the Chancery’s decision, the school was closed due to the small number of students, and the tremendous cost of maintaining the school (there were at least three other schools in the neighborhood).  There were 16 students in the graduating class of June 1989.  The school building was taken over the Ursuline Sisters.

At the same time “Rada Oświatowa” continued as a Saturday School, which existed from the 1940’s at Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish.  The custody of the school named “The Father Augustine Kordecki Supplementary School,” was taken over by the parish on October 8, 1994.  Though the beginnings were modest, a new spirit entered the school.  Alicja Kot, the school’s Director, remembers working with a handful of children.  However, the school’s influence grew from year to year.  In 1998, there were about 100 children being taught Polish, history, geography and religion on Saturdays.  At that time there were seven young teachers.  All the teachers: Anita Zadrożny, Dorota Sikora, Barbara Wójcik, Lucyna Bukowska, and Teresa Maryniak, came from Poland in the 1980’s and 90’s, with educational training.  Dance lessons, that are part of the school curriculum, was taught by Jacek Surdyka.

The number of children keeps growing from year to year.  The teaching standards and the pleasant atmosphere draws the children and their parents from near and far.  The soul and guardian of the school was Father Lucius Tyrasiński (till 1996), and Father Krzysztof Wieliczko currently fills that role.  Father Bogdan Kolmaga teaches religion, and during these classes he prepares the children for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

The Saturday Supplementary School at Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish, is one of 37 schools registered with the “Polish Supplementary Schools Headquarters in America,” taking in the Eastern Coast of the United States.  The headquarters, fulfilling the function of Superintendent of Schools, arose in 1925.  They keep in touch with the Teachers College in Rzeszów as well as the Catholic University of Lublin.  Centrala, as it is known, prints a quarterly, called “Głos Nauczyciela.”

There are currently about 150 students in the school.  Alicja Kot, the school’s Director, together teachers Irena Di Stasi, Teresa Maryniak, Beata Chadzińska, Grażyna Wykowska, Barbara Wójcik, Małgorzata Wieczorek, watch over the physical wellbeing of the children.  Including Jacek Surdyka, the dance instructor, who has taught the children folk dances the past many years.  Father Bogdan, prefect, as well as spiritual guardian cares for the spiritual wellbeing as well as the religious education of the younger and older children.

The past few years have brought success not only in the academic field – such as Paula Jankowska’s third place in a grammar contest at the Polish Consulate, as well as the possibility of the children appearing on the Martha Stewart Show on CBS.  New costumes were bought, “Opoczyńskie” and “Rzeszowskie,” to embellish the dance group, which are bringing newness and positive rivalry between the children.

The Father Augustine Kordecki Supplementary School teaches the children not only Polish, Polish culture and traditions, but also organizes many cultural performances.  Her Director looks forward to the future with satisfaction and great optimism.